Blue Ribbon golf outing supports Blue Ribbon school

September 21, 2012

The Sanibel School serves approximately 375 students in kindergarten through 8th grade that live on Sanibel or Captiva islands. It has been awarded a Blue Ribbon through the U.S. Department of Education's National Blue Ribbon Schools program, which recognizes educational institutions where students achieve overall academic excellence or for success in closing achievement gaps.

The school has also earned an "A" rating from the DOE for the past 11 years.

In order to maintain high-quality education and its top-ranked status by Florida's DOE, the Sanibel School Fund and PTA have joined forces to present the annual Blue Ribbon Golf Outing Oct. 6 hosted at The Sanctuary Golf Club. This event raises money to provide several resources and enhancements that the Lee County School System budget can not afford -- things such as educational software, computers, foreign language programs, steel drums and classroom supplies.

Article Photos

By SHANNEN HAYESThe Sanctuary Golf Club will host the annual Blue Ribbon Classic Golf Outing Oct. 6, which will benefit The Sanibel School – a National Blue Ribbon school. On Sanctuary’s golf course are, from left, Ken Kouril, Sanctuary’s general manager; Wil Neil, Sanctuary club member; Terry Igo, club member and president of Sanibel School Fund, which has joined forces with Sanibel School’s PTA to present the golf tournament; Jim McHall, club member; Art Cassell, tournament chair and club member; Drew Donnelly, Sanctuary golf professional; and Will Peterson, club member.

"Together with the PTA, the Sanibel School Fund provides about $90,000 to supplement the educational needs of children that otherwise go unfunded," said SSF President Terry Igo. "It is critical we maintain our Blue Ribbon status because it benefits the community through a better quality of life, real estate and more."

During this year's Blue Ribbon Classic, golf superstar and two-time winner of the RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship David Mobley will be partnering with each group of golfers on a par-4 hole as he attempts to make an eagle putt following his drive.

For more than 16 years, Mobley has been wowing spectators around the world as winner of more than 20 professional long drive events -- his longest drive in competition was 459 yards. He has appeared on dozens of nationally televised shows including The Golf Channel's Big Break Dominican Republic and Big Break X Michigan.

Fact Box

To Go:

What: Annual Blue Ribbon Classic Golf Outing

When: Oct. 6

Registration begins at 11:30 a.m.

Shotgun start at 12:30 p.m.

Where: Sanctuary Golf Club

2801 Wulfert Ave.

More info: 239-579-0015

Paige Babcock, phbabcock@gmail.com

"It's up to you to make the putt and eagle the hole," said Mobley.

In addition, there will be the chance to win a Lexus from Scanlon Lexus of Fort Myers by making a hole-in-one or a two-carat diamond set in a pendant necklace created by Congress Jewelers, along with other donated prizes such as a catered dinner from Le Cordon Bleu Chef Leslie Adams or a get-a-way at South Seas Island Resort. There will also be a helicopter golf ball drop following the tournament.

Cost of the event is $200 per person, which includes golf and dinner, or it's $50 for dinner only. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. with a 12:30 p.m. shotgun start. Tournament winners will be announced at the buffet dinner.

Tickets for the helicopter golf ball drop can be purchased prior to the event on Sanibel for $10 each or six for $50 at Cheeburger Cheeburger, 1975 Periwinkle Way; Sanibel Deli, 2330 Palm Ridge Rd.; and MacIntosh Books & Paper, 2407 Periwinkle Way.